On June 4, 2024, the Ministry of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs issued Official Letter No. 2354/BLĐTBXH-CATLĐ requiring local authorities and relevant agencies and organizations to enhance management and compliance with occupational safety and hygiene laws ("Official Letter 2354").
Recent occupational accidents have been occurring with alarming frequency and severity, resulting in numerous deaths and injuries.
Therefore, to strengthen the compliance with occupational safety and hygiene laws and minimize occupational accidents, particularly serious ones, the Ministry of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs has issued several directives:
1. Requirement for Corporations, General Companies, and Companies to Inspect, Review, and Comply with Laws in Occupational Safety and Hygiene Management
Corporations, General Companies, and Companies must conduct inspections, reviews, and compliance with laws in managing occupational safety and hygiene within their units. This includes especially checking the establishment of safe work procedures and plans; ensuring compliance with legal regulations in organizing safety and hygiene training for workers; managing and inspecting the use of machinery and equipment that require strict safety measures; and monitoring the working environment.
2. Requirement for Proactive Compliance by Organizations and Units Providing Occupational Safety and Hygiene Services
Service units must proactively review and adhere to legal regulations in organizing occupational safety and hygiene training; conducting technical safety inspections; actively monitoring the working environment; and assessing and certifying products in group 2. They should also regularly update themselves on policies and laws regarding occupational safety and hygiene, and comply with periodic and annual reporting regimes according to the regulations in each area of their operations.
3. Strengthening Inspections, Handling Violations, and Prosecuting Criminal Liability in Cases of Severe Violations
- Intensify inspections and rigorous enforcement against violations.
- Temporarily suspend or revoke certificates of eligibility for units providing occupational safety and hygiene training services, technical safety inspections, working environment monitoring, and product compliance assessments for Group 2 in cases of severe violations or causing serious consequences.
- Prosecute organizations and individuals responsible for particularly serious consequences resulting from violations.
- Improve the legal framework and national technical standards on occupational safety.
Comment: